A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 3) Chapter 4 Summary

Chapter 4 Summary

Tyrion wakes from his sickbed and finds Bronn—"Ser Bronn of the Blackwater" now—standing over him. Bronn informs Tyrion that all of the latter's strength has been taken from him. Tywin is now the Hand of the King, Tyrion's clansmen have either remained in the woods, returned to their mountains, or else have been turned away. Ser Jacelyn Bywater died in the battle and Ser Addam Marbrand commands the City Watch in his place. The Kettleblacks and the sellswords Tyrion had paid so handsomely now all serve Tywin, Cersei, or else have been dismissed. Tyrion goes to visit his father, angry at his loss of power. There, he finds Tywin writing letters. There is much to do: Robb Stark is still in the field and Margaery Tyrell is coming to King's Landing to marry Joffrey. Joffrey and Margaery's marriage will cement the alliance between the Lannisters and the Tyrells. Tywin tells him that Princess Myrcella has arrived in Dorne, which has ostensibly earned them Dorne's allegiance as well. However, now Prince Doran Martell is sending someone to sit on the small council, and the Martells will want vengeance for the slaughter of Princess Elia's children during the rebellion. Everyone knows that Ser Gregor Clegane, one of Lord Tywin's most fearsome warriors, was responsible. Now, Tyrion demands to be acknowledged as the heir to Casterly Rock, but Lord Tywin denies him. He explains that Tyrion killed his mother coming into the world and is only recognized as a Lannister because Tywin cannot prove that Tyrion is not his son. He also commands Tyrion to stay away from whores and threatens to hang the next whore he finds in Tyrion's bed.

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